Meyer grew up at various U.S. Army bases throughout the nation and in the Philippines, accompanying his father's post assignments throughout his military career.

Although small in stature at 5 feet 9 inches tall and 150 pounds, Meyer emerged as a college football star.

In 1935, against Notre Dame before a capacity crowd of 78,114 in Yankee Stadium, Meyer's 41-yard first quarter touchdown pass and stellar performance in a 6–6 tie first brought him into the national limelight.

He was named an All-American and then runner-up to the University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger in the first-ever Heisman Trophy vote that year.

[2][3] Meyer died on August 11, 2001, in Hampton, New Hampshire,[6] and was buried at the West Point Cemetery at the United States Military Academy in New York on October 4, 2001.